Tragic Migration Story: Assam Natives Die in Goa Nightclub Fire While Seeking Employment Opportunities

Guwahati residents mourn as three Assam natives perished in a devastating Goa nightclub fire, highlighting the economic migration crisis affecting the region.

The families of three men from Assam who died in the tragic Goa nightclub fire revealed that their children were compelled to leave their home state due to severe lack of employment opportunities in their region.

These grieving families now await the arrival of their loved ones' remains on Tuesday, according to information shared by a senior minister.

The three victims were employed as cooks in the nightclub kitchen when the devastating fire erupted shortly after midnight on Sunday, claiming at least 25 lives and leaving six others injured.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his grief on social media platform X, stating, "Deeply anguished by the tragic loss of lives in the Arpora fire incident in Goa, where three of our own lost their precious lives. Shri Rahul Tanti, Cachar, Shri Manojit Mal, Cachar, Shri Diganta Patir, Dhemaji." He added, "Offering my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the swift recovery of all those injured."

The remains of Manojit Mal (24) and Rahul Tanti (32) have been released to relatives who were also working in Goa, while 23-year-old Diganta Patir's elder brother has traveled from Kerala to Goa to claim his brother's body.

Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Minister Kaushik Rai confirmed that both state governments are working together to ensure the victims' remains are transported to Assam promptly, with the bodies expected to reach their homes by Tuesday.

Minister Rai mentioned his communication with North Goa District Collector Ankit Yadav, who informed him that post-mortem examinations were completed and transportation arrangements finalized.

The minister visited the families of the two Cachar victims, conveying condolences on behalf of the government and providing personal financial assistance.

He announced that the Central Government has declared an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for each family, while the Goa Government has approved Rs 5 lakh in compensation.

Family members of Mal and Tanti claimed that economic necessity forced the two to leave their village and state due to insufficient employment options locally.

Both victims belonged to the tea tribe community, and villagers described how poor conditions in Barak Valley's tea gardens had driven many young people to seek work elsewhere.

Mal's relatives shared that he was the family's sole breadwinner and had recently visited home just five months prior to help arrange his younger sister's wedding.

"He worked diligently in Goa and supported our family. Our living conditions had started to improve because of his efforts, but fate has been cruel to us," his father lamented.

Tanti's siblings, who also work in Goa, have collected his remains but struggle with the financial means to transport them home.

"We cannot accept he is gone. When we received the call around 2:30 am, we initially thought he was only injured. Later, his brothers confirmed his death," his father Banul Tanti explained.

Tanti leaves behind two daughters and a two-month-old son, according to his wife Sukriti.

"We were anticipating his return soon. Instead, his body is coming back. My world has collapsed. I don't know how I will raise our children alone," she expressed.

Community members have highlighted that this tragedy reveals a growing socio-economic transformation in Assam's tea garden regions.

"Wages remain stagnant, and with deteriorating living conditions, younger generations increasingly migrate outside Assam for employment in hospitality, security services, and other low-paying jobs, rather than continuing the family tradition in tea gardens," explained local resident Guru Prasad Malah.

The families of both victims stated that tea garden wages were insufficient to sustain their households, and now over 50 percent of youth from their area seek employment in Goa, Bengaluru, and other cities.

"We face severe opportunity shortages here. Tea gardens are struggling financially, and there is no significant industry in the region. This forces young people to migrate. They work as home guards, cooks, and in other low-profile jobs where safety standards are minimal," Malah observed.

Local residents also expressed frustration regarding the alleged lack of response from elected officials.

"The fatalities occurred Saturday night and were widely reported, yet no MLA or minister initially came to offer condolences. This demonstrates how overlooked our community is," the locals claimed.

Meanwhile, Patir's mother revealed that both her sons had found employment in distant states—Goa and Kerala—because livelihood opportunities were scarce in Dhemaji, a district frequently devastated by floods and erosion.

She explained that she now lives with only her daughter, as there are no male family members remaining in their village home.

The crowded North Goa nightclub transformed into a lethal trap after midnight Sunday when a massive fire engulfed the facility, claiming 25 lives and injuring six while raising serious concerns about allegedly illegal operations and disregard for safety regulations.

While authorities indicated that a cylinder explosion likely initiated the blaze, a tourist who survived the disaster claimed that fireworks were discharged during a dance performance, suggesting this as the probable cause.

A fire official explained that most deaths resulted from suffocation, as victims—many being employees—became trapped on the ground floor of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Arpora, located 25 km from Panaji.